Sunday, November 21, 2010

Two Journalists Temporarily Blocked in Police Custody in Battambang

Two journalists were temporarily detained for approximately one hour in the Forest Administrative office in Battambang province on the morning of April 5, 2010, after they and others had made inquiries regarding allegations that Forestry officials had extorted money from charcoal makers in the street. The questioning had led to a verbal argument and the detention of these two journalists.

Choam Pisamay, a journalist for Koh Santepheap Daily and Niyum Roth, a journalist for Kampuchea Thmei Daily, were locked in the office by Peng Mi, deputy chief of Forest Administration in Battambang province. Witnesses, who were also present at the event but were permitted to leave the room, included Ra, an agent for Bayoan Television Station and Sam Bunnath, a journalist for Rasmei Kampuchea Daily. These two men asserted that the arrest may have been related to the journalists’ investigation of the officials’ illegal activity. However, Mr. Ly Chou Bieng, Forest Administrative Chief, claimed that the case was only a personal problem and it was not related to any alleged illegal activity on the part of the Forest Administration officials.

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